The Anti Tobacco Movement at Amrita – ATMA observed World No-Tobacco Day on 31 May 2010.
World-renowned playback singer, Padmabhushan Dr. K.J. Yesudas, officially inaugurated the evening function. “We should be healthy and make others healthy,” stated Dr. K.J. Yesudas. “Those who are addicted to smoking are spoiling themselves and others,” he added. The gathering was rather lucky to hear him sing in his heavenly voice an excerpt from Narayaneeyam, ‘Yogindranam thvadangeshvadhikasumadhuram……’
ATMA, the student community of the healthcare campus, was formed as a student initiative in 2002 by the I MBBS batch. It has been conducting Anti Tobacco Programs in schools in order to stop younger generation from getting addicted to tobacco usage.
Tobacco is the only product proved to be deadly but marketed with official sanction without any inhibition.
ATMA conducts educative programs, which enlightens the community on the harmful effects of tobacco usage, harmful chemical contents in tobacco, necessity and methods for habit cessation etc.
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke result in cancer of various organs, lung diseases, infertility, cardiac ailments, destruction of fetus etc. These have been scientifically proved and are always highlighted in ATMA’s Anti Tobacco Programs.
Students and faculty together observed this year’s World No-Tobacco Day at the healthcare campus, Kochi. The endless efforts of ATMA team have made the healthcare campus at Kochi an entirely tobacco-smoke-free environment.
Educative presentations and talks by the students enlightened the gathering on the harmful effects of tobacco usage.
Eminent cardiologist, Dr. K. K. Haridas, Dr. Prathapan Nair, Principal, Amrita School of Medicine, were among others who spoke.
Students presented skits, mimes, and other stage shows to depict tobacco related health effects. There were exhibits for the public.
